The experts who have looked at his case think that he has no other option besides the very new CUE surgery. The problem is getting things organized to have a CUE expert do the surgery. As of right now, our awesome local surgeon wants to team up with the originator of the surgery to fix R's elbow by doing CUE. Unfortunately, the current plan has that surgery happening around April 1, which is a long time from now, in dog time.
Our orthopedic surgeon is exploring whether anyone else can fly here and do the surgery with him sooner than that. We don't know the answer yet.
I do feel very lucky that we're able to provide such amazing care for R at all. We have pet health insurance which will cover some of it, and we live in an area where people take pet health care very seriously. Consequently, we have world class vets helping us.
In the meantime, we're waiting. R limps every day, almost all the time, and he's at the maximum doses of pain medicines. We're still letting him get a "moderate" amount of exercise, with permission from our elbow expert.
It's still far less exercise than R usually gets. That's a big part of why I've been doing nosework training with both dogs. It gives R some "mental exercise" which will hopefully help keep him happier while he can't do as much running as he wants.
The intensity in his eyes when he runs tells the story of R's personality. He's driven (even if it's just in a recall race with his sister, who refuses to even challenge him), and he needs an outlet for that drive. We've satisfied his intense personality with exercise so far in his life. He and the Runner have built an unbreakable bond through all the trail miles they've logged together.
We are working as hard as we can to put the pieces in place so that R can have a successful CUE surgery. CUE surgery essentially inserts new weight-bearing surfaces into the elbow. If it's successful, R should be able to run almost pain-free after a long recovery.
We want him to eventually return to his first love - galloping through the forest with the Runner.
Thanks for the update. You sure can see the intensity in those eyes, aye? Both Shyla and R have such expressive eyes which you capture beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI hope the timing gets a little better for R's surgery date. I know it's awfully hard to wait day by day when an animal is uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteHe sure is a beautiful boyo.
I'm hoping that the doctor's will be able to perform the surgery before April 1st-I know it is hard on all of you. What a beautiful day we had today, so glorious out there. I love the love in your pups eyes-such devotion to you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Noreen
We were wondering how things were progressing. We hope something can be worked out sooner than April, but we know you want to do what is best for R. Hope it all works out well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting us know. Poor R - once a runner, it's very hard to have that taken away. Fingers crossed that you won't have to wait until April to have the surgery. You're right, you're lucky to have access to such amazing veterinarians.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update - keeping paws crossed here for a successful surgery and recovery. I get pet insurance for Abby. After Barkley's cancer treatment without insurance, that's something I will always have for my future furry family members. It's so worth the little monthly cost.
ReplyDeleteI take Metacam to help me R
ReplyDeleteLily (& Edward)
ReplyDeleteWe hope you don't have to wait until April.
The exuberance in his facial expression tells
how much he loves to run. We hope he can have
a speedy recovery after surgery.
xo Cinnamon
Hopefully the surgery can be done sooner. I will keep you all in my prayers. Waiting can be so difficult.
ReplyDeleteWe are cheering your boy on from our corner so that when he has the surgery, he can return to the active life he knew before.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending our best wishes too. It's so hard for him. I am glad that you have such great vet care.
ReplyDeleteOh Poor R! I'm sure April does seem like a long time off in dog years but it's really around the corner! I hope they are able to get it all figured out and get him taken care of! ~hugs~
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about R, thank you for the update. I will say a prayer that R can have this done so he can feel better and run around.
ReplyDeleteAnne and Ziggy
We will keep our paws and fingers crossed that things hurry up. Waiting is sooooo hard.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, I was wondering how he was doing.
ReplyDeleteWaiting for everything to fall into place is the hardest thing as you watch your boy limp. Sending our strongest White Dog healing energies and positive thoughts that the timeline can be shortened and that CUE is all it is promised and that R has a total and faster than normal recovery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, although the news was not so good. I hope a plan is developed soon. R has shown an amazing ability to come through major problems successfully. I'm sure he will come out the CUE surgery almost as good as new.
ReplyDeleteSo hoping that things will all fall into place. 24 Paws crossed for all of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update. Poor boy. I hope he can keep romping until his surgery. Sending prayers and good thoughts
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. I have to go back and watch the nosework video; last time Penne got a bit defensive when she heard R's howling, not knowing where it was coming from!
ReplyDeleteNo doggies here right now so can watch the video but, like you, trying to find things to smile about.
We have our paws crossed that R get his surgery done asap! We want him to be able to run with the Runner and smile the whole way!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDelete...and the main thing is R knows he is loved beyond words! POTP at work. Hugs and wags to the boy. YAM (aunty) xxx
I hope so much that good news come to you soon.... maybe it is possible to do it sooner... POTP and crossed paws that efurrything goes well and as planned.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you can get the surgery fast. It's so hard to keep them contained when all they want to do is run. Torrey is having a tough time with that.
ReplyDeleteHi KB sorry I have been MIA - praying for R, he is such a handsome guy, I just love him. Hoping they can work out the details for this surgery. Indy just turned 7 and I am always fearful of this happening to him. Sending you all lots of labbie love !!!!
ReplyDeleteDiane and Indy
Arrggh - It has got to be hard to wait. We sure hope things can come together sooner for R so he can get on the road to recovery sooner. Appreciate the update
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
We hope it all plays out as soon as possible and we hope the expert can be there to do the surgery.
ReplyDeleteVeterinary medicine has come such a long way. I hope R can someday run with abandon.
ReplyDeleteWe hope that it comes together sooner as opposed to later!!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm & Bark On!
Murphy & Stanley
Count me in with those who are rooting for Prince Arrr. He is such a gorgeous pup he should have the best of everything. Where is the Big Time Doc located? Any chance you could take the patient to the Doc? I don't know about you guys, but the time really flies by for me, so perhaps April won't seem so far away since Monday is already
ReplyDeleteFebruary!
Hugs all around,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat
It is wonderful that you live somewhere they take pet health seriously. We are sending prayers to you all that they find the best way to help him. That last running picture is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe nosework is an excellent idea. We love our R and send him lots of POTP!
ReplyDelete-Lisa and Otto
And we want R to be pain free and able to run again too. Your doing all you can,. Waiting is hard,,, too hard.
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
I hope you find the right surgeon who can do the surgery sooner so R can get back to running without worries. I'm curious about the pet insurance. I've heard such conflicting information about it being good or else worthless and that you have to be careful who you get it from. That makes it hard to know what to believe.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the update on R. We hope for your and her sake that the surgery is sooner rather than later. And you are indeed fortunate that the animal care professionals are so caring in your area.
ReplyDeleteBoy did you capture that intense look in R's eyes with that photo! We are sending good vibes your way that she will be able to run at full gallop with Runner, sooner rather than later!
Sometimes the wheels grind soooooo slowly. Hopefully, things will come together sooner than expected.
ReplyDelete